How do you block a lost or stolen phone by IMEI?
A step-by-step route to make a lost or stolen phone unusable using its IMEI number.
Short answer
Find the IMEI on your invoice, box label or account records; ask your carrier to suspend the line; if the phone was stolen, file a police report and get a copy; then report the IMEI through the ICTA lost/stolen device service on the e-Government Gateway. Once blocked, the device will not accept any SIM on Turkish networks.
What you need
Step by step
Find the IMEI number
The IMEI is the device's identity number and the whole blocking process rests on it. It is printed on the invoice, on the barcode label of the box, and stored in the device records of your carrier subscription. If you never wrote it down while you still had the phone, your Google or Apple account device list also keeps a record.
Have the carrier suspend the line
Call your carrier's customer service or open a line suspension request from the "My Line" section of its mobile app. This stops calls, messages and data on the SIM, so verification codes sent by SMS cannot reach anyone else. You can request a replacement SIM in the same call.
Lock the device remotely and protect your data
On Android, sign in to your Google account from a browser and lock the phone from the "Find My Device" screen; on iPhone, turn on "Lost Mode" under "Find My iPhone" in iCloud. Use the erase option on the same screen if needed. Then change your e-Government, banking and email passwords from another device.
Report the theft to law enforcement
Go to the nearest police station or gendarmerie post, file a theft complaint, and ask for a copy of the report confirming the incident was recorded. That document helps with insurance and warranty processes and proves ownership if the device is recovered. Filing a report for a simple loss also works in your favour if someone else starts using the phone.
File the ICTA notice on e-Government
Sign in to the e-Government Gateway, search for "lost stolen device" and open the notification service of the Information and Communication Technologies Authority. Pick the notice type (lost, stolen, robbery), enter the IMEI and the requested contact details, then confirm the form. Service names and screens change, so ICTA's own site reaches the same service.
Track the application and keep the record
Save the application reference shown on screen once the notice is confirmed; you can follow its status under "My Applications" on e-Government. Confirm the block is active through ICTA's IMEI lookup service. Keep the police report, invoice and application record together in one place.
Lift the block if the phone comes back
A block does not clear itself when the phone returns; you have to file an unblocking request through the same channel. That request asks for the invoice and identity details showing the device is yours, and if you reported it stolen you may also be asked to close the police record. Confirm the exact document list with the authority while filing.
Tips
Watch out
Entering the wrong IMEI can make someone else's device unusable while leaving your own phone unprotected. Compare the number character by character against the record on your invoice before confirming the form; a block cannot be undone with one tap and needs a separate application with documents.
Frequently asked questions
+Can a blocked phone still be used abroad?
The block ICTA applies covers networks in Turkey, so the phone may still work in other countries. That is why you should also carry out the remote lock and data erase steps.
+I do not know the IMEI at all, can I still get a block?
No notice can be filed without the IMEI. Check the invoice, the box, your carrier's device records and your Google or Apple account device list; if none of them has it, go back to the shop where you bought the phone.
+Is a police report mandatory for the block application?
For loss notices a declaration through e-Government is usually enough, while stolen and robbery cases may require a law enforcement record. Confirm which document is needed from the notes on the application screen and from the authority.
+Is the blocking process free?
Lost and stolen notices and the blocking itself are handled as a public service. It is best to check the current fee or charge situation on ICTA's own information page.
+I already closed my line, do I still need to report the phone?
Yes. Line suspension only disables the SIM; to stop the device from being used with another SIM you have to file the IMEI notice separately.
Sources and verification
Last verified: September 15, 2026. tell us. Procedures, service names and document requirements described here apply to Turkey (e-Government Gateway and ICTA).
This content is for information only; for official procedures the relevant institution’s current announcements take precedence. Details: disclaimer.